Abstract
M.Ed.
This study dealt with a conversion of a teacher college into a community college,
specifically referring to implications of policy documents for Lere-la-Tshepe college. The
community college is a new concept in the South African education system and it is
regarded as one of the means that will be used to address the current plight of the
majority of young adults in this country. As we know, most do not have formal
qualifications and/or any skills training for employment or creation of self-employment.
To address the concept of community college, in particular and Further Education and
training in general, the Department of Education established a National Committee on
Further Education (NCFE). It is also important to mention that efforts were already
underway in provinces to pilot community colleges. In the Free State province Lere-la-
Tshepe has been identified as a major pilot project. It is therefore important to research
and report about the conversion implications that will serve as a framework and guideline
for Ler-la-Tshepe in particular and other colleges in general.
The educators at Lere-la-Tshepe who responded to the questionnaire were positive about
the change and viewed it as a step in the right direction. However, they mentioned some
serious implications that await the conversion. Among others, they indicated the need to
retrain educators in the content and methodology of new courses; the college governance
and management structures and the curriculum needs to be revisited and the community
needs to be involved and informed about the changes in the college. It was also evident
that most educators who responded to the questionnaire were not conversant with the
content of the recent policy documents in their area of operation.
The study made a contribution by highlighting some policy documents' implications
about the conversion, which will serve as a guideline for Lere-la-Tshepe college and
other colleges that need to convert.